"There is danger of placing too high a value upon mere manner and form, and devoting too much time to education in these lines. The life is strenuous effort demanded of every youth, the hard, often uncongenial work required even for life's ordinary duties, and much more for lightening the world's heavy burden of ignorance and wretchedness—these give little place for conventionalities. Ed 241.1"
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."
Both passages critique a focus on outward appearance or form over substance. EGW warns against valuing 'mere manner and form' too highly, while Jesus condemns the Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup while being full of extortion inside.
"Many who lay great stress upon etiquette show little respect for anything, however excellent, that fails of meeting their artificial standard. This is false education. It fosters critical pride and narrow exclusiveness. Ed 241.2 The essence of true politeness is consideration for others. The essential, enduring education is that which broadens the sympathies and encourages universal kindliness. That so-called culture which does not make a youth deferential toward his parents, appreciative of their excellences, forbearing toward their defects, and helpful to their necessities; which does not make him considerate and tender, generous and helpful toward the young, the old, and the unfortunate, and courteous toward all, is a failure. Ed 241.3"
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Both passages address the issue of prioritizing tradition or artificial standards over genuine compassion and obedience to God's commands. EGW criticizes etiquette that lacks consideration for others, while Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for transgressing God's commandments through their traditions.
"Real refinement of thought and manner is better learned in the school of the divine Teacher than by any observance of set rules. His love pervading the heart gives to the character those refining touches that fashion it in the semblance of His own. This education imparts a heaven-born dignity and sense of propriety. It gives a sweetness of disposition and a gentleness of manner that can never be equaled by the superficial polish of fashionable society. Ed 241.4"
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of learning from Christ's meekness and lowliness, leading to inner refinement, as described in Matthew 11:29. The 'divine Teacher' is a clear reference to Christ.
"The Bible enjoins courtesy, and it presents many illustrations of the unselfish spirit, the gentle grace, the winsome temper, that characterize true politeness. These are but reflections of the character of Christ. All the real tenderness and courtesy in the world, even among those who do not acknowledge His name, is from Him. And He desires these characteristics to be perfectly reflected in His children. It is His purpose that in us men shall behold His beauty. Ed 241.5"
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"
EGW's statement that it is God's purpose that in us men shall behold His beauty is a direct application of the principle in Ephesians 5:1, which calls believers to be followers of God as dear children. The idea is that believers should reflect God's character.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"
EGW's description of courtesy, unselfishness, and gentleness as reflections of Christ's character aligns with Galatians 5:22, which lists the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. Both passages connect positive character traits with a divine source.
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
EGW's statement that God desires His characteristics to be perfectly reflected in His children, so that men shall behold His beauty, aligns with 1 Peter 2:12, which encourages believers to have honest conversation so that unbelievers may glorify God by their good works. Both passages emphasize the importance of believers' actions reflecting God's character to the world.